‘Talk Derby to Me’ Raises $1,000 for Winslow

The rain poured down this year for the 144th running of the Kentucky Derby at the Churchill Downs Racetrack in Louisville, KY on Sat., May 5, but here in Warwick the skies were clear and the weather was perfect as the Warwick Wine Garden & Piano Bar, located at 22 McEwen St. in Warwick NY, hosted their third annual multi-screen viewing of the Run for the Roses. The “Talk Derby to Me” celebration-fundraiser was held to benefit the Winslow Therapeutic Riding Center and commenced with complimentary champagne at the door and live acoustic bluegrass music by the Brian Bardell Trio.

Nearly 100 people, many of them dressed in traditional Kentucky Derby style, attended the event. Guests were treated to delicious southern style fare, a cocktail menu that included fresh peach bourbon mint juleps, and a chocolate ganache dessert cake from Jean-Claude’s Patisserie.

Choosing a winner in the ladies hat pageant was no easy task this year as all of the hats were stunning. This year’s first place winner was Kayla Happle, of Highland Lakes, NJ, who won with a homemade hat that she said took almost an hour to design.

The Winner of this year’s Winslow’s Chance drawing was Tomasz Scislowski, who placed his raffle ticket in the lucky bag of horse #7, “Justify,” the 2018 winner of the Kentucky Derby.

$1,000 Raised for Winslow

The “Talk Derby to Me” event raised $1,000 for the Winslow Therapeutic Riding Center, a non-profit organization located on 100 acres of scenic land at 1433 Rte. 17A in Warwick NY. The center is accredited by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International, which believes in healing with horses and creating a haven for horses and humans alike.

“This was another wonderful and successful event,” said Sue Ferro, the Executive Director of Winslow Therapeutic Riding Center. “I would like to thank the owners of the Warwick Wine Garden & Piano Bar, Chris and Marilyn Littell, and the Director of Events, Lourice Angie, for hosting. We had a wonderful time.”

This reporter who is also the Director of Events at the Warwick Wine Garden & Piano Bar, would like to sincerely thank Sue, Janet and Ashley of Winslow Therapeutic Riding Center and everyone who attended the 3rd Annual ‘Talk Derby to Me’ Kentucky Derby Celebration at the Warwick Wine Garden & Piano Bar. Everyone is looking forward next year’s event.